Nepal president asks parties to form majority Govt in fresh notice

Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav on Sunday asked political parties in the country to form a majority government, as the deadline set by him for the formation of an administration of national consensus expired last night with the parties failing to achieve a breakthrough.

Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav on Sunday asked political parties in the country to form a majority government, as the deadline set by him for the formation of an administration of national consensus expired last night with the parties failing to achieve a breakthrough.

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The President issued a fresh notice to political parties to name the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers under Article 38 sub-clause 2 of the Interim Constitution as the parties failed to form a government of national consensus under Article 38 sub-clause 1, President's press advisor Rajendra Dahal said.

Under this clause, whosoever can muster the support of 301 members in the 601-member Constituent Assembly will be appointed as the new Prime Minister.

Moderate leftist, the CPN-UML, holding its central body meeting yesterday, decided to try and form a new government under its leadership with the support of other parties, according to Shanker Pokharel, a central member of the party.

Nepal was plunged into a constitutional crisis when Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' resigned as premier after his decision to sack army chief Rukmangad Katawal was blocked by President President Ram Baran Yadav.

The President then asked all political parties to form a government of national consensus by Friday midnight. However, the parties could not meet the deadline.